<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Statement of Operations and the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-1996
<CASH>                                           15000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    83300
<ALLOWANCES>                                      3600
<INVENTORY>                                     112700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                217200
<PP&E>                                          247800
<DEPRECIATION>                                  143200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  373800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           137500
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           500
<OTHER-SE>                                      133600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    373800
<SALES>                                         230400
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                230400
<CGS>                                           123500
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    85100
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  1700
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                4400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  15700
<INCOME-TAX>                                      6100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               9600
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      9600
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0